Bubba Wallace, after being overtaken in the final restart at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, faced strong emotions as he discussed the outcome in his post-race interview. Speaking candidly, Wallace addressed the way his team owner, Denny Hamlin, raced against him in the closing laps, with the Bubba Wallace post-race interview highlighting the deep emotional tension on display.
Wallace Shares Thoughts on Performance and Team Effort
Wallace explained that he did not anticipate contending for the win after a difficult race start.
“To even have a shot at the win with the way we started, I told Post, You could have fooled me. We were not good. We missed it on the fire-off speed. I just really appreciate the team.”
— Bubba Wallace, Driver
He emphasized the progression his team made during the race, despite initial struggles with speed. His appreciation for his team’s effort reflected a mix of gratitude and disappointment, given how close he came to victory.
Frustrations Surface Over Final-Lap Maneuvers
As Wallace reflected on the final moments, he did not shy away from strong remarks about Denny Hamlin’s approach, acknowledging lingering frustrations.
“Two years ago I’d probably say something dumb. He’s a dumbass for that move. I don’t care if he’s my boss or not. But we’re going for the win. I hate that we gave it to Chevrolet there.”
— Bubba Wallace, Driver
Wallace noted the speed advantage the Toyotas possessed during the race and expressed disappointment that a Chevrolet team ultimately secured the win at the end, despite Toyota’s standout performance.
Looking Ahead Despite Setbacks
Although the result was not what Wallace had hoped for, he found some positives to take forward.
“Toyotas were super-fast, and proud to be driving one. I thought it was meant to be, and then it wasn’t. All in all, the positives, though, we were minus 26 coming in — or minus 27 coming in. We’re minus 26 leaving. We gained a point.”
— Bubba Wallace, Driver
The reshuffling of points means Wallace gained slightly in the standings, a small consolation after a tense and emotional finish to the event. The outcome leaves NASCAR fans wondering how Wallace and his team will respond in the next round, with Kansas Speedway’s dramatic turn of events adding another chapter to the ongoing season drama.
